Stearns Boating LLC is the J-Boat, Dehler, Hanse and Nautor Swan dealer for the Midwest. The company is located in down town Chicago and serves boaters in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
Rich Stearns the owner has been racing sailboats since 1962 when he started sailing a Penguin dinghy and Sunfish. Since then he has raced and cruised all over the world. Rich was a Sailmaker for 25 years owning the Murphy & Nye Hood, Sobstad and Doyle franchises in Chicago. Along with racing he has cruised both monohulls and catamarans throughout the Caribbean.
Rich Started in selling boats buy developing the LS-10 33 foot sailboat. Rich has sold J-Boats since 2000. Rich has known the Johnstone family for over 30 years sailing with and against Bob Johnstone when he lived in Wilmette Illinois in the 60’s and 70’s. In 2008 Stearns Boating LLC became the Midwest Hanse, dealer. When Hanse bought Dehler Stearns Boating took over as the Dehler dealer in the Midwest. In 2015 Stearns Boating became the dealer for the renown Nautor Swan line.
Rich is also the author of “Getting Started in Sailboat Racing” International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press / McGraw Hill 2004 and 2013. Second edition 2013.